The University of Chester’s Faculty of Education and Children’s Services has been praised by Ofsted for its excellent teacher training provision.
The recently published Initial Teacher Education Inspection report found that the overall effectiveness of Primary teacher training scored an ‘Outstanding’ Grade 1 and Secondary teacher training received a ‘Good’ Grade 2. The employment-based training route of (Graduate Teacher Programme or GTP) also scored an ‘Outstanding’ Grade 1, while the Initial Teacher Education (ITE) Programme for Further Education received an award of ‘Good’ Grade 2.
The University works in partnership with a wide range of schools and Early Years’ settings to provide Initial Teacher Education leading to Qualified Teacher Status for Primary and Secondary education and with its associate colleges Warrington Collegiate and West Cheshire College, to provide Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills status in Further Education.
The Primary and Early Years’ partnership spreads across six local authorities in the North West region. It offers a four-year undergraduate Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) programme and two one-year Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) programmes, one in Primary education and one in Early Years’ education. The latter is based on the Warrington campus.
Key themes around high quality emerged through the Ofsted Report for all of the Initial Teacher Training (ITT) programmes. These included the high quality of University-based training which leads to the development of trainees’ up-to-date knowledge, due to their tutors’ ability to anticipate and plan for change. The University’s ITT programmes as a whole are praised for the high levels of academic and pastoral care for trainees which results in consistently good levels of achievement. On the Primary/Early Years’ programmes, for example, trainees report that University tutors are ‘inspirational and provide excellent individualised support and challenge. Tutors are knowledgeable and enthusiastic. They model best practice in their teaching, enabling trainees to experience and discuss a range of teaching strategies and decide which best meet the needs of learners.’
The richly creative and up-to-date curricula offer trainees opportunities on the Primary/Early Years’ programmes ‘to immerse themselves in understanding the place of the child in the wider community’. On the Secondary programme, the ‘partnership is strong and uses the skills of their schools’ staff most effectively.’
On the GTP programme, Ofsted notes that trainees’ knowledge of current educational thinking and national initiatives is ‘promoted by leaders who are highly effective at communicating on a national, regional and local level.’
The Ofsted Report for the Further Education colleges acknowledges the ‘high levels of personal and academic support which enable trainees to develop and use innovative activities in their lessons’ and that ‘Teacher-educators are well qualified and act as very effective role models.’
On all programmes, Ofsted reports that trainees are provided with a range of diverse opportunities particularly utilising the expertise to be found in partner schools and in the wider community in order to be very well prepared to teach in culturally diverse communities. Primary and Early Years’ trainees variously experience work with Gypsy Roma Traveller communities, Children’s Centres; Greater Manchester Police; City Learning Centres and a range of galleries and museums.
On the Secondary programme, a long established feature is the Subject Enrichment Week, which gives trainees exciting opportunities to develop skills in unusual settings, for example in teaching multicultural and multilingual RE classes in London, while Drama and Art trainees have enjoyed stimulating projects in Venice and Prague.
The high quality and effective use of resources on all programmes to support training and promote good attainment is identified in the Report. The Graduate Teacher Programme (GTP) Inspection which took place in December 2010 makes reference to the move to the Riverside campus, ‘where trainees have access to excellent library, and information and communication technology resources. Teaching rooms are exceptionally well equipped with the latest technology and teaching and learning resources.’
As one Head Teacher said of Newly Qualified Teachers from Chester: “They have the edge when it comes to professionalism and are ready to take on the challenge. They are very well organised and prepared.” Employment data for all programmes indicates they are also much in demand and Ofsted notes the high retention and employment rates on the GTP Programme which ‘meets the needs of the local community very well.’
Professor Tim Wheeler, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Chester, said: “This is an excellent report which recognises the commitment and high quality of the provision from staff and students in the Faculty of Education and Children’s Services and their two partner colleges. This dedication is reflected in the very high standards newly qualified teachers from the University of Chester bring to their chosen field. The report places us in a position of strength for the future of education at the University of Chester.”
Anna Sutton, Dean of Education and Children’s Services said: The outcomes of the inspections are a testament to the hard work and dedication of all members of the team, including colleagues in partner schools. However, while we are delighted with these achievements we are also working with our schools to address the new Government agenda for teacher education”.
